RUNNING MUSIC FOR LONG DISTANCES

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When I talk with people about running long distances,  the question "Don't you get bored?" often comes up. And my response is always heck no!

I feel a lot of different things when I run.... tired, cranky, exhilarated, energized, free, strong... but nope, never bored. 

I attribute my lack of boredom to what I have playing in my ears. See, I never ever run without my iphone. I need to listen to something while I run. If I didn't, boredom would probably come creeping up. Now I know, not everyone is programmed like me. Some of you can go run 15km with nothing in your ear....but I can't do that.

What I play while my run heavily depends on the type of run I'm doing. 

TEMPO RUNS

If I'm doing a tempo run (aka your race pace), I run with fast paced music. Here is part of the playlist that I ran with on my half marathon race:

1. Pump It- Black Eyed Peas
2. Dancing with Myself- Billy Idol
3. Hey Ya!- Outkast
4. Good Feeling- Flo Rida
5. Bad Romance- Lady Gaga
6. I Love It- Icona Pop
7. Fancy Footwork- Chromeo
8. Anything Girl Talk
9. Two of Hearts- Stacey Q.
10. D.A.N.C.E.- Justice

I know, some of my songs are pretty lame-o but hey, they get me running fast!

LONG SLOW RUNS

When training for a half marathon and a marathon you usually have one day a week where you do your long, slow run. This run builds up your strength to run the many kms. 

For these runs, I don't usually listen to music...(unless I'm near the end and need a kicker to get those last few kms done!)

Instead of music, I listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

I'm currently listening to a sermon series by Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church. That man is hilarious and an amazing preacher.

And in the last couple of months I started listening to audiobooks. I'm a big fan of audiobooks (they're the best multitasking companion!) When James and I went to California in 2013, we had a 17 hour drive to do on the last day. It was sooo brutal. The only reason why we didn't die of boredom was The Chronicles of Narnia on audiobook. Listening to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader helped the hours soar by!

I don't know why it's taken me so long to listen to audiobooks while I run, but it is amazing!!! So far I've gone through the first two books of the Divergent series....yes it's teen fiction but I'm finding the action keeps me entertained and helps me keep my pace up. I'm actually finding myself looking forward to my long runs because it means I get to listen/read the audiobook for a long time! ha.

So that's what I listen to when I run. All you runners out there, I would love to hear what you listen to! 

stay gold,

s.s.♥︎.

PARKSVILLE

So I'm trying to soak in every last bit of summer. Usually by this point, I'm longing for fall but this year, I'm clinging on to summer. And I have a firm grip. 

I know I was just in Whistler but what do you do when the holiday fairy calls your name and whisks you away to a happy place? You let it happen, that's what you do!

Especially when said fairy takes you to a beach front condo with your bffs.

My goodness we had sooooo much fun. It was definitely a weekend of excess. 

So much food.

So many episodes of Veronica Mars.

So much reading.

So many laughs. 

Here's what we got up to...

Now doesn't that look fun?

Hope you're soaking up the last bit of summer! James and I are headed for one more quick getaway (I know!!!) for our 2 year wedding anniversary this weekend.

The place we're going has no wifi and no cell phone service...insane hey??!!! I am soo excited.

Happy Tuesday.

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

WHISTLER FAMILY VAYCAY

Last weekend we had the pleasure of going to Whistler with James' family...it was AMAZING!! Surprisingly both James and I had never been to Whistler before. Let's just say, I'm a fan.

Except for bears....yes, I saw A FREAKING BEAR ON MY RUN. Thank goodness James was with me, but it was SOO SCARY..I bolted away into nearby townhouses and refused to go running again..ha.

Whistler is crazy beautiful. The mountains, the glaciers, the lakes. And the village is such good vibes...except for the slow, relaxed snowboarder/biker service you receive in coffee shops...but hey, maybe that was the universe telling me to sloooooow down and enjoy vaycay mode.

We stayed at Cascade Lodge. It was perfect. Nice outdoor pool and soo close to the village.

We hiked two days and did peak to peak! It was so glorious. 

Insanely beautiful.

Makes me in awe of God's creation. Those mountains!!! Swoon.

Seriously stunning hey? That last photo is a pic of the guys swimming in a glacier pool...crazy boys.

So other than hiking and staring at majestic mountains, we enjoyed an afternoon at Lost Lake and hung out in the village.

We had ice cream at Cows (honestly, tasted like Island Farms...it had NOTHING on Salt & Straw), family dinner for James' birthday at Dusty's in Creekside (best nachos ever..pulled pork come on!!), dinner date at Mongolie, and lots of coffees. We got to meet up with our good friends, the Normans which was SUCH a treat because we hadn't seen them for ages! Walking through the village reminded me of walking through towns in Europe...people and food everywhere..and accents! It was so nice to hear so many accents.

We also had great family bonding times. I am madly blessed with amazing in-laws!!

I know it won't be our last trip to Whistler!!

Have you been to Whistler before? If so, I'd love to hear what your must see spots are!

Happy Wednesday..I'm off to Parksville for a girls' trip right after work...SOOO STOKED!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

WARDROBE // 6

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If you follow me on instagram, you'll know I was in Whistler this past weekend with James' family. We had an incredible time and I have A LOT of pics to show you but for now I have a long overdue wardrobe post! (I'm very thankful for understanding family who were so patient while we snapped these pics mid-hike...ha!)

Her- 

Headband  // Top // Jean Shorts (similar) // Plaid (similar) // Bag // Watch // Nail Polish // Bracelets // Silver Bracelet

Him-

Hat // Jean Jacket //  T-Shirt // Tank // Jeans (cut into shorts) // H&M Sunnies

You may notice that we aren't showing you our shoes. That's because we were both wearing bright neon nikes....ha! We don't own hiking shoes and did not want to hike in something that would mess us up, so bright neon nikes it was.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, can't wait to tell you all about Whistler!!

Until next time,

s.s.♥.

GRILLED PEACH SALAD WITH HONEY GOAT CHEESE DRESSING

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Mmmmmhmmmmmm.

Yes, I have a salad for you that is going to win hearts.

Seriously, it will win you friends.

And it takes a whopping 10 minutes to make.

I know right? #rejoice

I made this salad for a family bbq last weekend. Things usually take me a loooong time to make. I don't like to be rushed in the kitchen yet because I never give myself enough time, I often find myself rushed in the kitchen.

I (as per usual) didn't give myself a ton of time that afternoon and I found myself rushing to the grocery stores (yes stores, I like to get my veggies from one store and all the rest from another, ha) to get all the ingredients. I got home and realized I had 30 minutes to make the salad and get ready. #storyofmylife

But you guys. 

I was able to assemble the salad (with a little help from James on the grilling of the peaches) AND get ready with time to spare. #winning 

So there you have it. A quick and easy AND delicious salad.

GRILLED PEACH SALAD WITH HONEY GOAT CHEESE DRESSING

Ingredients needed:

for the dressing-

• 150 g Goat Cheese (at room temperature)
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 2 tbsp Water

• Dash of Salt & Pepper

for the salad-

• 8 cups Spring Mix
• 6 Ripe Peaches sliced in quarters.
• 1/4 cup Walnuts

Directions:

1. In a food processor, combine the goat cheese, honey, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, water and salt & pepper. Mix well. If it's too thick, add a little bit more water.
2. Heat grill to medium heat and then grill peaches until char marks appear (about 3 minutes).
3. Place salad in bowl. Add in grilled peaches and walnuts. 
4. Serve salad and drizzle dressing over top.
5. Enjoy!!!

Happy Wednesday!

I'm heading to Whistler for the FIRST TIME EVER tomorrow! I'd love to know your must see sights & restaurants & coffee shops! If you've been, please let me know in the comments :)

xoxo,

s.s.♥︎.